Professor of Law and Co-Convener of the Program in Law and Social Science

“Advocating for clients is a small part of what lawyers do. With respect to most legal issues, lawyers are the legal system.”

Get to Know Milan Markovic

What drew you to the law?

I had originally wanted to be a philosopher, and my master’s thesis concerned the moral implications of the term “collateral damage.” During the course of my research, I became familiar with human rights law and wanted to learn more about it.

What do you enjoy most about teaching?

I most enjoy challenging my students’ conceptions of what lawyers do. The media rarely focuses on lawyers outside of litigation contexts, and advising a transactional or regulatory client is very different from making arguments in a courtroom.

What do you hope students gain from your courses?

I hope they learn to approach legal issues from the perspective of a real client and to be able to understand and explain complex legal concepts in a manner that will be effective for that client.

What did you do prior to entering academia?

I was an associate at two large law firms based in New York City. I primarily focused on international business litigation. I also briefly worked for Judge Kirsch of the International Criminal Court in the Hague, Netherlands.

What are you passionate about outside of the law?

I love to travel. I also follow virtually every major professional sport except hockey, which is rather embarrassing since I am Canadian.

What are your research interests?

My research primarily focuses on the duties of lawyers and judges in transnational contexts. I am also increasingly concerned with the future of the legal ​profession.